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Mithical
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Why not simulate that environment exactly?

For example, let's say you have a number of problems for them to solve during the interview process. Before you get to these problems, show the candidate something like the following:

enter image description hereDollars Made $137.03 | [New Problem] button | Potential Lost $0.00 | [Problem Fixed] button [10-Minute Penalty] button

Explain, as you did in your question, that the company makes thousands of dollars on a given project per hour. Thus, when there is a bug in the project which causes it to go down for an extended period of time, there is the potential for a great amount of profit loss. Furthermore, while some people may thrive in this type of environment, others would find it too stressful. Thus, in order to find out how they deal with this type of stressful situation, there is a portion of the interview process dedicated to replicating this environment to see how they will deal with it.

At this point, ask them if they are OK with this type of test. If not, then skip it and just ask the programming questions as normal and judge them on the rest of the interview, taking into account that they avoided the stressful situation. If so, click the "New Problem" button. Explain to them that a bug was found and the product is now down, and that in an actual situation, the clock would be running even while they are trying to figure out what the problem is. Also, explain that even though there is a time-crunch, fixing the bug properly is the bigger goal here. Then hand them the problem, preferably on a piece of paper with no further explanation and sit back, observe, and answer questions for them as you deem appropriate.

When they are finished with the problem, click the "Problem Fixed" button and evaluate their solution to make sure it meets the requirements. If it does not, click the "10-Minute Penalty" button, explaining again that fixing the bug properly is the bigger goal, and have them continue working as the Dollars Lost continues accruing.

Repeat for the remaining problems, asking them if they are ok to continue before starting the next problem, and possibly asking them how they are dealing with the stress of the situation. Be empathetic, understanding that this is not a fun process to go through (for most).

At the end you will get a concrete number for total dollars lost on all problems, as well as the qualitative experience of how they perform under pressure.

Here's the editable link for the simulation if you want to tweak it to better match your case.

Why not simulate that environment exactly?

For example, let's say you have a number of problems for them to solve during the interview process. Before you get to these problems, show the candidate something like the following:

enter image description here

Explain, as you did in your question, that the company makes thousands of dollars on a given project per hour. Thus, when there is a bug in the project which causes it to go down for an extended period of time, there is the potential for a great amount of profit loss. Furthermore, while some people may thrive in this type of environment, others would find it too stressful. Thus, in order to find out how they deal with this type of stressful situation, there is a portion of the interview process dedicated to replicating this environment to see how they will deal with it.

At this point, ask them if they are OK with this type of test. If not, then skip it and just ask the programming questions as normal and judge them on the rest of the interview, taking into account that they avoided the stressful situation. If so, click the "New Problem" button. Explain to them that a bug was found and the product is now down, and that in an actual situation, the clock would be running even while they are trying to figure out what the problem is. Also, explain that even though there is a time-crunch, fixing the bug properly is the bigger goal here. Then hand them the problem, preferably on a piece of paper with no further explanation and sit back, observe, and answer questions for them as you deem appropriate.

When they are finished with the problem, click the "Problem Fixed" button and evaluate their solution to make sure it meets the requirements. If it does not, click the "10-Minute Penalty" button, explaining again that fixing the bug properly is the bigger goal, and have them continue working as the Dollars Lost continues accruing.

Repeat for the remaining problems, asking them if they are ok to continue before starting the next problem, and possibly asking them how they are dealing with the stress of the situation. Be empathetic, understanding that this is not a fun process to go through (for most).

At the end you will get a concrete number for total dollars lost on all problems, as well as the qualitative experience of how they perform under pressure.

Here's the editable link for the simulation if you want to tweak it to better match your case.

Why not simulate that environment exactly?

For example, let's say you have a number of problems for them to solve during the interview process. Before you get to these problems, show the candidate something like the following:

Dollars Made $137.03 | [New Problem] button | Potential Lost $0.00 | [Problem Fixed] button [10-Minute Penalty] button

Explain, as you did in your question, that the company makes thousands of dollars on a given project per hour. Thus, when there is a bug in the project which causes it to go down for an extended period of time, there is the potential for a great amount of profit loss. Furthermore, while some people may thrive in this type of environment, others would find it too stressful. Thus, in order to find out how they deal with this type of stressful situation, there is a portion of the interview process dedicated to replicating this environment to see how they will deal with it.

At this point, ask them if they are OK with this type of test. If not, then skip it and just ask the programming questions as normal and judge them on the rest of the interview, taking into account that they avoided the stressful situation. If so, click the "New Problem" button. Explain to them that a bug was found and the product is now down, and that in an actual situation, the clock would be running even while they are trying to figure out what the problem is. Also, explain that even though there is a time-crunch, fixing the bug properly is the bigger goal here. Then hand them the problem, preferably on a piece of paper with no further explanation and sit back, observe, and answer questions for them as you deem appropriate.

When they are finished with the problem, click the "Problem Fixed" button and evaluate their solution to make sure it meets the requirements. If it does not, click the "10-Minute Penalty" button, explaining again that fixing the bug properly is the bigger goal, and have them continue working as the Dollars Lost continues accruing.

Repeat for the remaining problems, asking them if they are ok to continue before starting the next problem, and possibly asking them how they are dealing with the stress of the situation. Be empathetic, understanding that this is not a fun process to go through (for most).

At the end you will get a concrete number for total dollars lost on all problems, as well as the qualitative experience of how they perform under pressure.

Here's the editable link for the simulation if you want to tweak it to better match your case.

Post Made Community Wiki by Ian
Updated answer to better replicate the environment, give a better explanation to the employee before starting of what is expected, and to give them a chance to opt out of the stress test portion of the interview.
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Briguy37
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Why not simulate that environment exactly?

For example, let's say you have a number of problems for them to solve during the interview process. Before you get to these problems, show the candidate something like the following:

enter image description hereenter image description here

Explain, as you did in your question, that the company losesmakes thousands of dollars while depending solely on a given project per hour. Thus, when there is a bug in the candidateproject which causes it to solvego down for an extended period of time, there is the problemspotential for a great amount of profit loss. Then start Furthermore, while some people may thrive in this type of environment, others would find it too stressful. Thus, in order to find out how they deal with this type of stressful situation, there is a portion of the timer BEFORE you giveinterview process dedicated to replicating this environment to see how they will deal with it.

At this point, ask them the first problemif they are OK with this type of test. If not, explainingthen skip it and just ask the programming questions as you donormal and judge them on the rest of the interview, taking into account that while they takeavoided the timestressful situation. If so, click the "New Problem" button. Explain to understand each problemthem that a bug was found and the product is now down, and that in an actual situation, the company willclock would be losing moneyrunning even while they are trying to figure out what the problem is. Also, explain that even though there is a time-crunch, fixing the bug properly is the bigger goal here. Then hand them the problem, preferably on a piece of paper with no further explanation and sit back, observe, and answer questions for them as you deem appropriate.

When they are finished with the problem, click the "Problem Fixed" button and evaluate their solution to make sure it meets the requirements. If it does not, click the "10-Minute Penalty" button, which will figure in the time taken to evaluate whether the solution was correct as well as add 10 minutes toexplaining again that fixing the dollars lost bybug properly is the companybigger goal, and have them continue working as the Dollars Lost continues accruing.

Repeat for the remaining problems, and feel free to be creative with additional penalties to make it more stressful, such as "It took you 10 minutes to getasking them if they are ok to a computer", or "Unfortunately, it turns outcontinue before starting the next problem you solved was not the critical one, and it took you 10 minutes to find outpossibly asking them how they are dealing with the stress of the situation. Be empathetic, understanding that this one is the real problem", etcnot a fun process to go through (for most).

At the end you will get a concrete number for total dollars lost on all problems, as well as the qualitative experience of how they perform under pressure.

Here's the editable link for the simulation if you want to tweak it to better match your case.

Why not simulate that environment exactly?

For example, let's say you have a number of problems for them to solve during the interview process. Before you get to these problems, show the candidate something like the following:

enter image description here

Explain, as you did in your question, that the company loses thousands of dollars while depending solely on the candidate to solve the problems. Then start the timer BEFORE you give them the first problem, explaining as you do that while they take the time to understand each problem, the company will be losing money. Then hand them the problem, preferably on a piece of paper with no further explanation and sit back, observe, and answer questions for them as you deem appropriate.

When they are finished with the problem, click the "Problem Fixed" button and evaluate their solution to make sure it meets the requirements. If it does not, click the "10-Minute Penalty" button, which will figure in the time taken to evaluate whether the solution was correct as well as add 10 minutes to the dollars lost by the company, and have them continue working as the Dollars Lost continues accruing.

Repeat for the remaining problems, and feel free to be creative with additional penalties to make it more stressful, such as "It took you 10 minutes to get to a computer", or "Unfortunately, it turns out the problem you solved was not the critical one, and it took you 10 minutes to find out that this one is the real problem", etc.

At the end you will get a concrete number for total dollars lost, as well as the qualitative experience of how they perform under pressure.

Here's the editable link for the simulation if you want to tweak it to better match your case.

Why not simulate that environment exactly?

For example, let's say you have a number of problems for them to solve during the interview process. Before you get to these problems, show the candidate something like the following:

enter image description here

Explain, as you did in your question, that the company makes thousands of dollars on a given project per hour. Thus, when there is a bug in the project which causes it to go down for an extended period of time, there is the potential for a great amount of profit loss. Furthermore, while some people may thrive in this type of environment, others would find it too stressful. Thus, in order to find out how they deal with this type of stressful situation, there is a portion of the interview process dedicated to replicating this environment to see how they will deal with it.

At this point, ask them if they are OK with this type of test. If not, then skip it and just ask the programming questions as normal and judge them on the rest of the interview, taking into account that they avoided the stressful situation. If so, click the "New Problem" button. Explain to them that a bug was found and the product is now down, and that in an actual situation, the clock would be running even while they are trying to figure out what the problem is. Also, explain that even though there is a time-crunch, fixing the bug properly is the bigger goal here. Then hand them the problem, preferably on a piece of paper with no further explanation and sit back, observe, and answer questions for them as you deem appropriate.

When they are finished with the problem, click the "Problem Fixed" button and evaluate their solution to make sure it meets the requirements. If it does not, click the "10-Minute Penalty" button, explaining again that fixing the bug properly is the bigger goal, and have them continue working as the Dollars Lost continues accruing.

Repeat for the remaining problems, asking them if they are ok to continue before starting the next problem, and possibly asking them how they are dealing with the stress of the situation. Be empathetic, understanding that this is not a fun process to go through (for most).

At the end you will get a concrete number for total dollars lost on all problems, as well as the qualitative experience of how they perform under pressure.

Here's the editable link for the simulation if you want to tweak it to better match your case.

deleted 1 characters in body
Source Link
Briguy37
  • 225
  • 1
  • 8

Why not simulate that environment exactly?

For example, let's say you have a number of problems for them to solve during the interview process. Before you get to these problems, show the candidate something like the following:

enter image description here

Explain, as you did in your question, that the company loses thousands of dollars while depending solely on the candidate to solve the problems. Then start the timer BEFORE you give them the first problem, explaining as you do that while youthey take the time to understand these problemseach problem, the company will be losing money. Then hand them the problem, preferably on a piece of paper with no further explanation and sit back, observe, and answer questions for them as you deem appropriate.

When they are finished with the problem, click the "Problem Fixed" button and evaluate their solution to make sure it meets the requirements. If it does not, click the "10-Minute Penalty" button, which will figure in the time taken to evaluate whether the solution was correct as well as add 10 minutes to the dollars lost by the company, and have them continue working as the Dollars Lost continues accruing.

Repeat for the remaining problems, and feel free to be creative with additional penalties to make it more stressful, such as "It took you 10 minutes to get to a computer", or "Unfortunately, it turns out the problem you solved was not the critical one, and it took you 10 minutes to find out that this one is the real problem", etc.

At the end you will get a concrete number for total dollars lost, as well as the qualitative experience regardingof how they perform under pressure.

Here's the editable link for the simulation if you want to tweak it to better match your case.

Why not simulate that environment exactly?

For example, let's say you have a number of problems for them to solve during the interview process. Before you get to these problems, show the candidate something like the following:

enter image description here

Explain, as you did in your question, that the company loses thousands of dollars while depending solely on the candidate to solve the problems. Then start the timer BEFORE you give them the first problem, explaining as you do that while you take the time to understand these problems, the company will be losing money. Then hand them the problem, preferably on a piece of paper with no further explanation and sit back, observe, and answer questions for them as you deem appropriate.

When they are finished with the problem, click the "Problem Fixed" button and evaluate their solution to make sure it meets the requirements. If it does not, click the "10-Minute Penalty" button, which will figure in the time taken to evaluate whether the solution was correct as well as add 10 minutes to the dollars lost by the company, and have them continue working as the Dollars Lost continues accruing.

Repeat for the remaining problems, and feel free to be creative with additional penalties to make it more stressful, such as "It took you 10 minutes to get to a computer", or "Unfortunately, it turns out the problem you solved was not the critical one, and it took you 10 minutes to find out that this one is the real problem", etc.

At the end you will get a concrete number for total dollars lost, as well as the qualitative experience regarding how they perform under pressure.

Here's the editable link for the simulation if you want to tweak it to better match your case.

Why not simulate that environment exactly?

For example, let's say you have a number of problems for them to solve during the interview process. Before you get to these problems, show the candidate something like the following:

enter image description here

Explain, as you did in your question, that the company loses thousands of dollars while depending solely on the candidate to solve the problems. Then start the timer BEFORE you give them the first problem, explaining as you do that while they take the time to understand each problem, the company will be losing money. Then hand them the problem, preferably on a piece of paper with no further explanation and sit back, observe, and answer questions for them as you deem appropriate.

When they are finished with the problem, click the "Problem Fixed" button and evaluate their solution to make sure it meets the requirements. If it does not, click the "10-Minute Penalty" button, which will figure in the time taken to evaluate whether the solution was correct as well as add 10 minutes to the dollars lost by the company, and have them continue working as the Dollars Lost continues accruing.

Repeat for the remaining problems, and feel free to be creative with additional penalties to make it more stressful, such as "It took you 10 minutes to get to a computer", or "Unfortunately, it turns out the problem you solved was not the critical one, and it took you 10 minutes to find out that this one is the real problem", etc.

At the end you will get a concrete number for total dollars lost, as well as the qualitative experience of how they perform under pressure.

Here's the editable link for the simulation if you want to tweak it to better match your case.

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Briguy37
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